The Experience

A peaceful hideaway for couples looking to escape from the city, this 18th-century thatched cottage sits in its own valley in the serene Devonshire countryside. With a running stream nearby, a pretty orchard and friendly Balwen sheep, this is a place for nature lovers.Owners Andrei and Holly have cleverly converted this three-level open-plan bolthole. They live just metres away in the main house. Expect a cosy, natural feel with rocking chairs by a log burner and a balcony looking out over apple and plum trees. Home-cooked breakfasts are brought over whenever you wish: freshly-laid eggs, sausages from the pigs and artisan bread. They’ll give you supper too if you don’t want to venture out.Wellies and maps are waiting for you so set off over glorious fields or venture further to village pubs for long, lazy lunches. Hole up by the fire with a good book, or wander the garden and sit under the weeping willow. In summer the swallows swoop.

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We think you'll love

Cosy nights in with board games and a record player

Watching the sunsets from the balcony

Ethically-sourced meat and home-grown veggies for supper

Home truths

Spiral steps to the bedroom may be a challenge for some

The unmade lane down to the cottage is bumpy - and you’ll need to get in the car to go to the pub

No cooking facilities in the kitchen area

Essentials

Swimming pool

Hot tub

Garden

Open fire / woodburner

Breakfast included

Breakfast available

Meals available

Oven

Parking on premises

Free parking nearby

WiFi

Spa

Central heating

Limited mobility

Wheelchair access

Mobile reception

Hob

Bar

Barbecue

Licensed premises

Vegetarian meals

Paid parking nearby

Accessible by public transport

Air conditioning

Relaxation areas

Washing machine

Tennis court

Microwave oven

No smoking

Credit cards

Working farm

Owner has pets

Dishwasher

Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor

Books and toys

Children welcome

Babies welcome

Stair gates

High chair

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles

Restaurant within 3 miles

Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available

Food courses

Kayaking

Other courses

Sailing

Surfing

Wild swimming

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Information & pricing

Booking information

Check in

From 3am

Check out

By 11am

Booking restrictions

Arrival after 3pm, departure by 11am if possible. With a bit of notice can collect guests from the local stations.

Closed

Rarely.

No smoking

Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Property

This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.

Owner has pets

Animals living on the property

Meals

Homecooked supper for 2, £30. Pubs/restaurants 3 miles.

Pricing

Nightly price

from £95

1 Suite for 2

From £95

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Reviews

Absolutely gorgeous building- a beautiful tiny house, complete with log burner and record player! The breakfast was lovely as was all of the local produce provided. We even got to walk the sheep! Holly and Andrei were very accommodating and we had a lovely stay, would thoroughly recommend, thank you very much!

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Beth, BristolMar 2017

A gorgeous and stylish 2 person dwelling nestling in a pretty landscape. Warm and friendly hosts live in the cottage across the garden and made us so welcome - we even fed lambs from a bottle!!!

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SusanMay 2016

WOW! What a fabulous place to stay! A romantic bolthole with welcoming, friendly hosts, excellent local food and a record player instead of the usual TV! Cant wait to visit again.

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Sue, PooleFeb 2016

What a 'gem' of a place this is! A characterful, charming and totally relaxing little bolthole.Holly and Andrei are the perfect hosts and made us feel so welcome. Fantastic value for a little piece of paradise! We'll be back!

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Jo, OxfordDec 2015

This is a place truly deserving of the title "Special". We felt as though we'd died and gone to heaven. Holly and Andrei are wonderful hosts and the little thatched house is beautifully done up and full of attention to detail. Even the record collection made us feel welcome as it pretty well matched our own! Andrei's cooking is an absolute must - how does he get those roast potatoes so crispy? Very comfy bed, extremely yummy breakfast and a wander through the fields to see the sheep. We didn't want to leave

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SueJul 2015

A really relaxing lovely place to stay , the owners are delightful and Andrés cooking is excellent , we had a gorgeous time and would thoroughly recommend it

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KarenJul 2015

We were looking for a stop over on our way to Devon and well what a find. This has to be the most unique, quirky, wonderful B & B that we have ever found. The location is beautiful with cats, chickens, sheep and pigs enjoying the good life. The Linhay has the wow factor and we wanted to stay forever. Everything is perfectly decorated and thought of. Breakfast was served on our balcony at a time suited to us and Andrei's Caesar salad dinner was amazing. We stayed for three nights but will stay longer next time. Wonderful, wonderful hosts. Thank you Holly & Andrei see you soon

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VickyJun 2015

This was a stop off on our way to Cornwall, we booked one night (not enough) in what turned out to be one of the best nights B&B stays we have ever had! The Linhay is in the most idyllic spot, we ate Andrei's perfectly cooked duck on the balcony overlooking the orchard. We had a play off with the very eclectic vinyl collection supplied for the record player, started with Brian Eno, ended with songs from South Pacific! ( choices made via lovely bottle of Prosecco and a couple of bottles of rather nice Rioja!)
Breakfast was gorgeous! Thankyou so much Holly and Andrei. Book before we do (again)!

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AliJun 2015

Wonderfully warm and friendly welcome, the Linhay is spotlessly clean & comfortable. Delicious evening meal, and a super breakfast (with to-die-for apple juice). Great choice of vinyls to relax and unwind to. What a lovely spot set in one of the prettiest, softest parts of Devon.

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JillJun 2015

The Linhay is absolutely delightful. It is snug and exceptionally well appointed. The decor is contemporary and well considered, we even had a record player with an eclectic mix of albums to play. The hosts Holly and Andrei are friendly and helpful, we were incredibly well provided for, with nothing too much trouble. It was so peaceful and cosy that we mostly stayed in by the log burner ( kindly lit in advance of our arrival following a txt request!). We had delicious homemade meals brought to us with strict instructions not to wash up! We can't wait to return and hope for a bit more sunshine!

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JoanneApr 2015

We booked a weekend at the Linhay at the last minute and we couldn't have been happier. The little cottage is immaculate and cosy, we just wish we could have stayed longer. Sitting in the comfy rocking chairs in front of the log burner (lit by our wonderful hosts while we were out), sipping sherry and listening to Andrei and Hollie's records was bliss. Delivery of a perfectly cooked breakfast (and dinner on our first night) to the door was a luxury I could get used to! A wonderful stay and couldn't recommend this little place highly enough. Thank you both, we'll be back! Jessica & Duncan

The neighbourhood

In a remote part of mid-Devon, the cottage has no near neighbours. Copplestone, the nearest village, is just a five-minute drive away and has a little shop. It is said that the Copplestone Cross at the centre of the village also marks the centre of Devon. Cosy pubs offering lunches by roaring fires are reached in ten minutes by car or taxi, and the Tarka railway line, running from Exeter to Barnstaple, passes through the village for an old- fashioned way of viewing the landscape.

Local points of interest from Holly Carter & Andrei Szerard

On the doorstep are the chickens, sheep, and (occasionally) pigs - oh, and the vintage tractor - our guests are welcome to roam and wander as they please... See if you can spot the resident owls, moorhens, nuthatches and woodpeckers...

Fantastic walking - Two Moors Way, Devonshire Heartland Way and the Tarka trail - and, of course, the wilds of Dartmoor and Exmoor - all within a short drive. Let us know when you'll be back and we'll have the log burner glowing in anticipation...

The Tarka line railway, stopping at picturesque stations across Devon - remember to 'request' the train to stop!

The cathedral city of Exeter is less than half an hour's drive - combining fascinating history with the quirky appeal of a university city. Hard not to enjoy.

Enjoying some time with each other - in front of the wood burner, or on the balcony watching the sun set, playing music on the vintage record player...

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Introducing

Holly Carter & Andrei Szerard

Andrei and Holly left city life in London and their careers as barristers to embrace 'the good life,' and share a little piece of Devon with their visitors. With their small flock of rare-breed sheep, pigs and chickens, they hope to inspire you to enjoy fresh air, tasty food and peace and quiet.